RUNNER UP!

(photo by Tim Bourke)

Runner UP! These are not the words that my son, his friends and his coaches wanted to hear on Saturday.  They have been practicing and playing since July preparing for this day. They had dominated every team they played, including the one they would face in the Championship Game. They boys were confident, prepared and excited to play in the Carnation Bowl Championship.

The game began just as they hoped, they scored on the second play of the game. From there, things just didn’t go the way they wanted.  You could feel the tension in the stadium.  The boys never gave up, but they fell just a little short.  Everyone who supported the Highland Ranch Eagles that day were surprised and saddened by the outcome.

It was a great year. My son Cameron joined the team in August and has loved learning and playing football. Saturday was the climax of the year and he was forced to deal with the reality that sometimes you don’t get or accomplish what you hope to.  He had to face losing for the first time all season.

In a situation like that everyone as expected looked back at decisions they made, how they would have done things different and replayed the events and mistakes that were made.  I know everyone felt like they could have done better.

Just like our everyday lives, we all have moments when things don’t go our way.  When life doesn’t go our way we consistently look back and replay our decisions, how we wish we could change the past and have a do over.  The problem is the game has been played and the winner has been declared.

I was pleased to hear from the coaches, as they reminded the boys and themselves that while they didn’t end up where they wanted, their character and what they learned from each other and how they grew over the year was as important as a championship. Their response to the game was exactly what the boys needed……perspective!

When we are on the losing side of life we have to realize we have a real opportunity.  In the book of James we read him writing this; “Consider it pure joy my brothers when you endure trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)   A football game pales in comparison to the real life disappointments that come in our lives.  Sometimes they are caused by our mistakes or the mistakes of others.  Sometimes they feel out of our control.  However let us all remember that the trials we are facing gives you and I an opportunity. A chance to learn, and grow and build our character.

Cameron, his teammates and coaches  finished the season better than when they started.  For that I am thankful.  I just wonder in the trials and problems you and I are facing will we choose to be better because of them?  It will take a reliance on the presence of God and his people to help us walk through the tough days.

Hats off to the Highlands Ranch Eagles. 10 -1.  Conference Champions, and Runner Up in the Carnation Bowl.  Your effort and how you handled defeat will make us all better!

See you in Church!

Darrell